Lawmakers from Tennessee remember Senator John McCain

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – John McCain was known for his public service and dedication to the United States.

Not only did he spend decades as a U.S. Senator, but he also served in the military and was a prisoner of war.

He was someone former Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp called an “extraordinary patriot.”

“I don’t know of a man that was more patriotic than John McCain in my adult life, because he was POW for five and a half years. He was in solitary confinement for this country. The military respected him even though he was a military watchdog,” Wamp said.

Wamp worked along side Senator McCain in Congress.

He said he was the only conservative to support McCain’s campaign finance reform bill, a legislative achievement for the late senator.

Wamp said what he’ll remember most is an emotional moment he witnessed while McCain was in Nashville and running for President.

“I’ll remember John McCain with a tear rolling down his face when he heard about (Former U.S. Senator) Bill Frist saving (Former CIA Director David) Petraeus’ life at the Vanderbilt Hospital when they pulled him off the range after being shot at Fort Campbell. I’ll remember John McCain in that emotional moment where patriotism overcame everything, love of country and this extraordinary tear rolling down his face in Nashville, Tennessee in 2008,” Wamp said.

State Sen. Todd Gardenhire said he was on McCain’s national campaign team and was elected as a statewide delegate when McCain was running for President.

State Sen. Gardenhire said he’ll remember McCain as a maverick and someone who always spoke what was on his mind.

“If he liked you, he liked you and if he didn’t like you, he didn’t like you and he would tell you. He was a very honest person, very straightforward and a man of principle. That’s what really struck me about him is he stuck by what he thought was the right thing to do no matter what,” State Sen. Gardenhire said.

U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) reacted on Twitter:

“America lost a statesman and hero tonight and all of us in the Senate lost a friend. John McCain was cantankerous at times – and proud of it – but always fighting to make our nation better. He was a patriot, an inspiration, and served in a way that is all too rare in Washington today. My thoughts and prayers are with Cindy and the entire McCain family as they mourn his loss.”

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) also tweeted a statement out on Twitter:

“There is usually one U.S. Senator who stands above the rest and for the last several years that has been @SenJohnMcCain. His character, courage and devotion to our country have been an example for all of us. Honey and I send our prayers to Cindy and the entire McCain family.”

Senator McCain passed away over the weekend after a battle with brain cancer.

The longtime Senator was 81-years-old.